Post by Hungry Jack on Sept 1, 2015 13:40:45 GMT -8
I had written these forums off for dead after the "upgrade" debacle, but it looks like they have resurrected! I have a new registration but am the same old(er) Hungry Jack.
I felt that my bud Smokey deserved a redo after our October 2007 trip to Pix Rox was greeted by an early season winter storm with icy squalls, gale-force winds, and frigid temps. We survived the onslaught but spent more time focused on staying warm than enjoying the amazing scenery. We did experience 3 days of solitude outside a few visitors at Miner's Overlook.
So we returned last weekend to redo the Shoreline Trail from Au Sable to Munising. This time, we were greeted with warm and rising temps, high humidities and ample sun--and lots of people. It's hard to have a bad time at Pictured Rocks. The scenery never ends and the water in late August is perfect on a hot, humid day. The only thing that might spoil it could be blisters...
Sure enough, my new Oboz, which felt so comfy in REI and on the sidewalks of Chicago over the summer, started giving me problems. By the Log Slide, I had hot spots on each heel. Cooling and drying did not help. By Au Sable point, I had blisters. I hobbled into Benchmark.
Our first night camp was full--mostly with "backpackers" who had parked at the Hurricane River lot 1,000 ft to the west and carried copious amounts of stuff in. Regardless, we spent a pleasant evening. In the morning, I decided to forego the Oboz to explore uncharted territory--backpacking in flip flops. Luckily, I had packed a pair of thick-soled shower style flip flops with a large band over the foot. These were not flimsy Margaritaville specials. They were Adidas--from Germany. The Germans don't mess around. They make durable stuff like Mercedes, machine tools, and sauerkraut.
So off I went on Day 2 in my shower shoes and socks--looking very German. Despite a pack of 30-35lbs, my feet felt great. The Shoreline Trail, with its sand and packed dirt, minimal roots and rocks, and level terrain, is the backcountry equivalent of a sidewalk. I cruised, feet nice and cool, free of pain. We motored west to the Coves area, where we skipped the tent site and poached the empty group site near dusk. Ah! Quiet....
We realized on day 2 that our food rations were a bit low on gorp and snacks. Later that day we encountered a day hiker--a college faculty member named Peter--who gave us a very nice bag of Trader Joe's GORP. Trail magic! I passed it on by making a donation to Habitat for Humanity, Peter's preferred charity.
The highlight of Day 3 was spying a bald eagle perched on a tree hanging over the cliffs near Grand Portal Point. Mosquito Beach was full of swimmers, but still an amazing place. It was hot--probably 85 degrees, but my feet were happy.
As we neared Miners beach, we realized that it would too easy to bum a ride back to Munising. We quickly lost our appetite for the last 7 miles of relatively uninspiring walking to reach Munising, not to mention uncertain waters supplies, when cold beer and burgers were a thumb away. Two female kayakers proved to be the final catalyst: We hefted their kayaks; they gave us a ride.
In my younger years I would have been appalled at the notion of leaving the trail early. Now, I relish the wisdom of being liberated by the journey, rather than enslaved by the destination. And backpacking in sandals has been a revelation. I think I have a pair of Keens in my future.
I felt that my bud Smokey deserved a redo after our October 2007 trip to Pix Rox was greeted by an early season winter storm with icy squalls, gale-force winds, and frigid temps. We survived the onslaught but spent more time focused on staying warm than enjoying the amazing scenery. We did experience 3 days of solitude outside a few visitors at Miner's Overlook.
So we returned last weekend to redo the Shoreline Trail from Au Sable to Munising. This time, we were greeted with warm and rising temps, high humidities and ample sun--and lots of people. It's hard to have a bad time at Pictured Rocks. The scenery never ends and the water in late August is perfect on a hot, humid day. The only thing that might spoil it could be blisters...
Sure enough, my new Oboz, which felt so comfy in REI and on the sidewalks of Chicago over the summer, started giving me problems. By the Log Slide, I had hot spots on each heel. Cooling and drying did not help. By Au Sable point, I had blisters. I hobbled into Benchmark.
Our first night camp was full--mostly with "backpackers" who had parked at the Hurricane River lot 1,000 ft to the west and carried copious amounts of stuff in. Regardless, we spent a pleasant evening. In the morning, I decided to forego the Oboz to explore uncharted territory--backpacking in flip flops. Luckily, I had packed a pair of thick-soled shower style flip flops with a large band over the foot. These were not flimsy Margaritaville specials. They were Adidas--from Germany. The Germans don't mess around. They make durable stuff like Mercedes, machine tools, and sauerkraut.
So off I went on Day 2 in my shower shoes and socks--looking very German. Despite a pack of 30-35lbs, my feet felt great. The Shoreline Trail, with its sand and packed dirt, minimal roots and rocks, and level terrain, is the backcountry equivalent of a sidewalk. I cruised, feet nice and cool, free of pain. We motored west to the Coves area, where we skipped the tent site and poached the empty group site near dusk. Ah! Quiet....
We realized on day 2 that our food rations were a bit low on gorp and snacks. Later that day we encountered a day hiker--a college faculty member named Peter--who gave us a very nice bag of Trader Joe's GORP. Trail magic! I passed it on by making a donation to Habitat for Humanity, Peter's preferred charity.
The highlight of Day 3 was spying a bald eagle perched on a tree hanging over the cliffs near Grand Portal Point. Mosquito Beach was full of swimmers, but still an amazing place. It was hot--probably 85 degrees, but my feet were happy.
As we neared Miners beach, we realized that it would too easy to bum a ride back to Munising. We quickly lost our appetite for the last 7 miles of relatively uninspiring walking to reach Munising, not to mention uncertain waters supplies, when cold beer and burgers were a thumb away. Two female kayakers proved to be the final catalyst: We hefted their kayaks; they gave us a ride.
In my younger years I would have been appalled at the notion of leaving the trail early. Now, I relish the wisdom of being liberated by the journey, rather than enslaved by the destination. And backpacking in sandals has been a revelation. I think I have a pair of Keens in my future.